“The level of pre-orders is real high,” SCEE president Jim Ryan told Dutch television network RTL News. “There will be some stock which is not set aside for pre-orders, but you’re going to have to get up really early or go to bed very late, depending on what your habits are. Demand is very considerable.”

Microsoft delayed its own system across a number of key European territories earlier in the year – a move which furthered interest in the Japanese giant’s machine. “Our plans were made a little bit more complicated when our competitor decided that they weren't going to launch in the Netherlands before Christmas, so that obviously meant demand for the PS4 increased,” he added.

@Sanquine A lot of the last quarter's disastrous performance was down to Sony Pictures. They're not doing great, and they definitely need to trim more fat, but products like the PS4 and their smartphones are tracking reasonably well. I think Kaz is doing a good job - though there's obviously still a mountain ahead.

@Sanquine The problem with Sony's TV's is that even though some of them are generally better than what the competition is offering, they aren't competitively priced - which is a constant problem with Sony products even though they're usually worth every penny.

@Sanquine My Sony Reader Daily Edition (prs-950sc) pretty much became a collectors item because Sony hasn't really bothered competing much with the likes of Kindle, Nook, etc. Kinda sad, because it was such an awesome Xmas present a few years back and used it for a lot of college reading. The biggest issue with it was the price. Quality product, but the alternatives were so much cheaper.

I recently heard that Sony's biggest business is, get this, insurance! I was gobsmacked when I heard that their only really profitable business is insurance and the rest is like overhead. I really hope that ps4 works out for them.